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Baek's debut in jeopardy

Already desperate for pitching, the Padres became a little more desperate in the last 24 hours, owing to the upper forearm strain that Cha Seung Baek suffered Sunday. Though he wasn't having a strong camp, Baek had the No. 3 starting job until the injury forced him from Sunday's game at Camelback Ranch. Manager Bud Black said today that Baek's scheduled regular-season debut for April 8 is now in "jeopardy" because of the injury and that Baek will not throw for at least a week. The soreness and swelling is near Baek's elbow. An initial ligament-stress test was encouraging. "It's really too early to tell the length of this," Black said of Baek's recovery.

General Manager Kevin Towers confirmed today that he is attempting to acquire a starting pitcher and maybe a reliever. Towers and Black said that Kevin Correia, who will face the Indians later today in Goodyear, likely will have a starting job if he stays healthy. Walter Silva and Shawn Hill also are contending for a starting job. On the trade front, the Padres have inquired about several pitchers. Of particular interest is Rays right-hander Jeff Niemann, a starter who is out of minor league options. But, so far, the Padres have deemed the Rays' asking price as too high and may go after other pitchers. Among several others on the radar is Rangers right-hander Jason Jennings, who can become a free agent in early April if the Rangers do not guarantee him a job on their club.